Best of the Backyard: Exploring Sai Wan from Basecamp Saiyuen

We are often asked: if I camp at Saiyuen, what else can I do or see in the neighborhood? 

Saiyuen is situated in Sai Wan on the southwest corner of Cheung Chau Island. Sai Wan is home to the Sai Wan Jetty, which is where visitors who take a kaito to Saiyuen will alight. This is a culturally and historically rich neighbourhood marked with temples, and even a famous pirate cave! 

From Saiyuen, walk past the jetty and straight up the hill and follow the path towards Tin Hau Temple and Wing Shing Tong. The Sai Wan Tin Hau Temple is a centuries old temple dedicated to Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Seafarers. Tin Hau is an extremely important figure to locals thanks to Cheung Chau’s history as a fishing village. Right next to it is Wing Shing Tong a Taoist temple built in 1925 by a female Taoist priest. Enjoy the view! 

Cheung Po Tsai
Cheung Po Tsai was a legendary pirate of the early 1800s who was rumoured to have kept his plunder in this cave. As the leader of thousands of pirates and a fleet of hundreds of vessels, Cheung Po Tsai and his band of pirates were notorious along the Guangdong Coast. Retrace his steps along his namesake path. 

The area has picnic and toilet facilities. The cave is a 10-minute walk from Saiyuen. 

Po Yue Wan & Reclining Rock
Along the path from Cheung Po Tsai Cave, there are signs for Po Yue Wan. If you follow that adventurous path, it will take you to the backside of Saiyuen! Keep going along the path and you cross our beach to reach the other side side. Go up the hill, and you will find Reclining Rock, our abseiling site! 

Pak Tso Wan (Italian Beach)
If you stay along that path, you will reach Pak Tso Wan, also known as Italian Beach. This is a wonderful nearby beach, also accessible from the Devil’s Forest area of Saiyuen. (Please ask Saiyuen Front Desk for the code!) Pak Tso Wan is wonderful for sunsets, picnics, sandcastles, or even a dip in the ocean. 

Birding/Nature Walk
For all the nature lovers: all along the way, you can listen to the ubiquitous call of the crested myna, or even the spotted dove. Witness the black kite soaring over the jetty, or spot a little egret balancing on a boat. Soak in the views of the South China Sea. Nature abounds, birdwatchers delight! 

Snacks
Stop for some snacks at the corner vendor, grab a coffee from Heima Heima or enjoy a bite at The Cove. 

These spots are all within a 15-minute radius of Saiyuen and can be enjoyed quickly if you are short on time. Of course we always recommend slowing down to take in the views and imagine the culture and history behind this area.